About

SAFC LLC was founded in 2022, the company is a startup which focuses on the sustainable management of land and developing climate projects which aim at removing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Kazakhstan

Afforestation Project

The project aims to convert degraded agricultural land into forests and create a carbon sink, promote biodiversity, and generate carbon credits. Significant progress in planting and partnerships have already been made, and the proponents plans to scale the project scenario.

 

The project plays a vital role in advancing the UN sustainable development goals and enhancing forest coverage which aligns with the National Project "Green Kazakhstan". It also aligns with the broader Strategy for Achieving Carbon Neutrality, contributing to ecological restoration and promoting environmental sustainability. By fostering increased tree planting and forest management, the initiative supports both local biodiversity and the global commitment to combat climate change.

Project Activities

Project activities include afforestation with native and naturalised tree species, Phyto melioration to rejuvenate the land and the implementation of water saving technologies.

In addition to the 1,500 hectares of project planting the land holding will also consist of a 50-hectare nursery facility, a soft fruit orchard and the remaining area will be taken up by roads and other infrastructure. The project’s first year’s planting aims to establish 200 hectares, and it is expected that over 3 million trees will be planted over the project lifetime.

Background

1

Kazakhstan’s arid and semi-arid regions make it particularly prone to aeolian processes like soil deflation. The lack of vegetation in Kazakhstan makes erosion from wind particularly common. Fine particles are removed from the soil surface which can result in a loss of topsoil and further degradation of land quality. Dust storms are a significant driver of soil deflation, and in some regions of Kazakhstan dust storms occur up to 100 days a year. Climate change and changes in land use practices can influence the regularity and effect of dust storms.

2

Soil erosion can impact the environment, agriculture, local communities and even local economies. The removal of the nutrient rich top layer of soil can negatively impact agricultural productivity which affects local farmers and communities; can alter ecosystems therefore leading to a decline in plant and animal diversity; and can lead to desertification and flooding.